wear blue: run to remember Memorial Day 2018 [Clarksville Lifestyle Event Photographer]

Memorial Day isn't about the start of summer or a BBQ... it's the one day a year where we pause to reflect and remember those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. For me, it's important to do something to show how much this means to me, so attending a wear blue: run to remember event is a given. I first learned about wear blue: run to remember when I lived in WA, and I actually served as the San Antonio, TX meet-up coordinator for two years because it meant so much to me. So when the Fort Campbell meet up asked me to photograph their annual Memorial Day run, I jumped at the opportunity to do so. This organization is an amazing non-profit foundation that "honors the service and sacrifice of the American military. wear blue: run to remember creates a support network for military members and their families; it bridges the gap between military and civilian communities and it creates a living memorial for our country’s fallen military members."

When I run in blue, I always do so to remember my classmate and friend, 2LT Justin Sisson (KIA 03JUN13). wear blue: run to remember allows us to honor these amazing heroes like Justin by showing their loved ones, and the world, that they their sacrifice has not been forgotten. There's a quote Justin's mom said in a recent interview that really hits home: "a person dies two times...the first time is when they take their last breath. The second time is when we stop saying their name.” I will always remember to keep these heroes' memories alive and I love that wear blue aims to do the same.

For the fallen. For the fighting. For the families. 💙